Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter Revelation 6 contains an account of the opening of six of the seven seals. It need hardly be said to anyone who is at all familiar with the numerous - not to say numberless - expositions of the Apocalypse, that it is at this point that interpreters begin to diffe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW - Or, I looked. He fixed his eye attentively on what was passing, as promising important disclosures. No one had been found in the universe who could open the seals but the Lamb of God Revelation 5:2; and it was natural for John, therefore, to look upon the transaction with profound intere... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW, AND BEHOLD - A question has arisen as to the mode of representation here: whether what John saw in these visions was a series of pictures, drawn on successive portions of the volume as one seal was broken after another; or whether the description of the horses and of the events was writte... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE SECOND SEAL - So as to disclose another portion of the volume. See the notes at Revelation 5:1. I HEARD THE SECOND BEAST SAY - The second beast was like a calf or an ox. See the notes at Revelation 4:7. It cannot be supposed that there is any special significancy in the fa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WENT OUT ANOTHER HORSE - In this symbol there were, as in the others, several particulars which it is proper to explain in order that we may be able to understand its application. The particular things in the symbol are the following: (a) The horse. See this explained in the notes on Reve... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE THIRD SEAL - Unfolding another portion of the volume. See the notes on Revelation 5:1. I HEARD THE THIRD BEAST SAY, COME AND SEE - See the notes on Revelation 4:7. It is not apparent why the third beast is represented as taking a particular interest in the opening of this... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE FOURTH SEAL - See the notes at Revelation 5:1. I HEARD THE VOICE OF THE FOURTH BEAST SAY - The flying eagle. See the notes at Revelation 15:7. As in the other cases, there does not appear to have been any particular reason why the fourth of the living creatures should hav... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I LOOKED, AND BEHOLD A PALE HORSE - - ἵππος χλωρὸς hippos chlōros. On the horse, as an emblem, see the notes on Revelation 6:2. The uniqueness of this emblem consists in the color of the horse, the rider, and the power that was given unto him. In these there is entire harmony, and there can... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE FIFTH SEAL - notes at Revelation 5:1; Revelation 6:1. I SAW UNDER THE ALTAR - The four living creatures are no longer heard as in the opening of the first four seals. No reason is given for the change in the manner of the representation; and none can be assigned, unless it... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I BEHELD WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE SIXTH SEAL - See the notes at Revelation 5:1; Revelation 6:1. AND, LO, THERE WAS A GREAT EARTHQUAKE - Before endeavoring to ascertain to what the sixth seal was designed to refer, it is proper, as in the previous cases, to furnish a particular explanation of the m... [ Continue Reading ]